Patrick Herron, Author at The MoCo Show

Father and Son Convicted of Theft for Operation of Ponzi Scheme Involving Family and Friends in Baltimore

Published December 12, 2022 at 3:32PM

Per the Maryland Office of the Attorney General: Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today announced the convictions of Eugene Fusting, 79, and Christopher Ian Fusting, 52, of Baltimore relating to their operation of a Ponzi-like investment scheme between 2012 and 2019. Eugene and Christopher Fusting were found guilty of Theft Scheme Over $100,000 and Conspiracy to Commit Theft Scheme Over $100,000 after pleading guilty in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Judge Melissa Phinn sentenced both Eugene and Christopher Fusting to 30 years in prison, all of which were suspended. Eugene will serve 18-months of home detention and Christopher will serve 12-months of home detention. Judge Phinn also ordered the Fustings to serve 5 years of supervised probation and pay restitution in the amount of $808,745.00.

Both Eugene and Christopher Fusting held brokerage accounts in their individual names at an online securities and brokerage firm where they would, on occasion, wire a portion of the funds they received. However, instead of utilizing these accounts to invest the funds, the brokerage accounts served as a conduit for investor funds, where investors’ money sat until the balances on the Fustings’ individual bank accounts waned, at which time funds were wired out of the brokerage accounts back to the personal accounts and spent on personal expenses. Neither Fusting had any additional source of income and relied on the stolen funds to support their lifestyles.

Bethesda

Police Investigating Theft of Electric Wheelchair in Bethesda; Video of Suspect Released

By Patrick Herron

Published December 12, 2022 at 12:14PM

The investigation by detectives has revealed that the suspect entered the apartment building, stole a person’s electric wheelchair that was in the parking garage and left the scene. Detectives reviewed the surveillance cameras of the apartment building and obtained video of the suspect.

MDLottery

Maryland Lottery Switching to Digital Drawings, Replacing Numbered Lottery Balls and Mechanical Drawing Machines

By Patrick Herron

Published December 12, 2022 at 11:03AM

Per the Maryland Lottery: As the Maryland Lottery prepares to celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2023, it is embracing the future with the launch of digital drawings for Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5, as well as Bonus Match 5 and Multi-Match. Beginning December 19, the drawings for all five games will be conducted using a computer system called a random number generator (RNG), which will replace the numbered Lottery balls and mechanical drawing machines.

“Lottery balls and machines have been part of the Maryland Lottery’s history, but it’s important for us to modernize as we look forward to the next 50 years and beyond,” said Maryland Lottery and Gaming Director John Martin. “More than 30 other lotteries in the U.S. and Canada have shifted to RNG systems because they are efficient, cost-effective — and most importantly they are extremely secure.”

MCDOT

Department of Transportation to Host Virtual Public Forum on the Proposed Ride On Bus Route 51 Extension to Olney’s ICC Park and Ride Lot on Thursday, Jan. 5

By Patrick Herron

Published December 12, 2022 at 10:23AM

Per MCDOT: The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) will hold a virtual public forum on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, starting at 6:30 p.m., to discuss the proposed extension of the current bus route 51 to provide service to the ICC Park and Ride lot in Olney. The new proposed extended bus route 51 will operate between ICC Park and Ride lot and Glenmont Metrorail Station with no additional changes to current stops.

A virtual public forum is being conducted on the proposed new route to gather public feedback regarding the proposed service expansion. Attendees will have an opportunity to provide comments and ask questions. Community members can join the virtual public forum in two ways:

Silver Spring

Two Suspects in Custody After Crashing Stolen Vehicle

By Patrick Herron

Published December 11, 2022 at 7:27PM

Two suspects us are in custody after an incident early Sunday morning in Silver Spring. According to Montgomery County Police, officers responded to Three Oaks Dr around 12:20am on Sunday morning. When police arrived, they observed a vehicle fleeing the scene. After a short pursuit, the suspects crashed and abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. They’ve were taken into custody near Flower Ave in Takoma Park.

It was determined that the vehicle the suspects were driving was stolen and a handgun was recovered at the scene. Police initially responded to the area for reports of shots fired, but there are no indication shots occurred and it was likely the sound of the suspects breaking into the vehicle. We will post an update when additional information is available.

Germantown

Coming Soon Signage Up at Gold’s Gym in Germantown

By Patrick Herron

Published December 11, 2022 at 5:26PM

Coming soon signage is up at the upcoming Gold’s Gym location at 12922 Middlebrook Road in Germantown, in the former location of DSW that closed earlier this year in the Germantown Commons shopping center next to Bed Bath & Beyond. In September we spoke with a representative from Gold’s Gym current Germantown location in the Fox Chapel shopping center, and we’re told that the existing location will close when the new one opens “sometime next year.” According to advertisements on social media, the new Gold’s Gym location is now expected to open in “Spring 2023” (photo below).

Gaithersburg

Planet Fitness in Gaithersburg to Temporarily Close on December 13

By Patrick Herron

Published December 11, 2022 at 11:20AM

Planet Fitness at 255 Muddy Branch Rd in Gaithersburg will be temporarily closing next week to complete renovations at the gym. Signage on the front door reads, “We are working on an upgraded club! We temporarily close on 12/13 at 9pm and plan to re-open tentatively on 12/30. Further communication will be posted!” The Planet Fitness at 13031 Wisteria Dr in the Germantown Plaza shopping center briefly closed for renovations back in November.

Planet Fitness has also announced that its new location in the Montrose Shopping Center in Rockville is scheduled to open this month. The gym is moving from its 15,000 sq ft space at 1776 E Jefferson St to the 30,000 sq ft space at 5520 Randolph Rd, which was the previous site of Gold’s Gym. This will also be the first Planet Fitness location in Maryland to feature the new RelaxSpace Wellness Pod, where the gym’s Black Card members can “select between a variety of videos, scents and even temperatures while learning more about diet, nutrition, breathing and the benefits of exercise.”

MoCo Government

Montgomery County Council Meeting on December 12; Council will continue its review of local and bi-county bills for the upcoming 2023 Maryland General Assembly

By Patrick Herron

Published December 10, 2022 at 12:07PM

Review: The Council will continue its review of the remaining local and bi-county bills for the upcoming 2023 Maryland General Assembly and may choose to take a position on each bill. On Nov. 28, 2022, the 19th Council held a briefing and reviewed 15 local and bi-county bills. The newly inaugurated 20th Council continued its review of local and bi-county bills on Dec. 6, 2022. The legislation under consideration will cover topics including voting methods, special taxing districts, parking, mass transit, speed monitoring, alcoholic beverage licensing and collective bargaining agreements. The Maryland State Delegation conducted a public hearing about local and bi-county bills on Dec. 8, with additional public hearings scheduled on Dec. 15, 2022.

Beyond MoCo

Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips Now Open at the Wharf in DC; Hell’s Kitchen Restaurant Coming Soon

By Patrick Herron

Published December 10, 2022 at 12:01PM

Gordon Ramsay’s Fish & Chips is now open at 665 Water Street (at the base of the Williams & Connolly building) at The Wharf in DC. Originally, Ramsay planned on opening his Fish & Chips restaurant at 501 Seventh Street, Northwest, DC, but decided he would open a bottomless pizza restaurant there instead (coming soon). The fast casual Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips menu offers six different types of combos, including a fish, shrimp, and chicken combo, as well as fishwich, chickenwich, and fish & shrimp combo, ranging in price from $14.99-$18.99. You have the option to “hook it up” by adding either extra fish, shrimp or chicken ($3.99-$5.99). Each combo comes with your choice of two sauces, and you can choose between Gordon’s tartar, curry & mango, sriracha aioli, southwest ranch, dijon mayo, and cocktail sauce. Chips are also available on their own, either plain or in three different versions of “dirty chips.” For dessert you can choose either a sticky toffee shake or a biscoff shake. Alcoholic beverages (beer and wine) are also available for those 21+.

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClHrXJuuH8U/

Beyond MoCo

Beyond MoCo: One Apprehended, One-at-Large, None Injured in Officer-Involved Shooting in Frederick

By Patrick Herron

Published December 10, 2022 at 11:28AM

Per the Frederick Police: At approximately 8:20 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, the Frederick Police Department received multiple reports of gunfire in the Unit Block of South Market Street near the area of W. All Saints Street. The calls described two individuals in a confrontation that eventually escalated to the pair exchanging gunfire with each other.

Upon arriving at the scene, a Frederick Police Department officer observed one of suspects reported to be involved in the exchange fleeing the scene and discharged his department-issued firearm at one of the suspects. One of the suspects discarded his firearm and raised his hands in the air. He was taken into custody without incident. No one involved in the incident was injured.

Education

Urgent Message from the MCPS School System Medical Officer Concerning Synthetic Opioids, Especially Fentanyl

By Patrick Herron

Published December 9, 2022 at 6:19PM

What is illicit fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a prescription medication for pain that is 50-100 times more powerful than morphine. The type of fentanyl driving overdose deaths is illegally made and sold in the form of powder, pills, liquid, or nasal sprays. Other drug products like marijuana, cocaine, heroin or illegally sold pills thought to be prescription medicine may be laced with illicit fentanyl, without the knowledge of the user.